Atholton's Marching Band wins a state championship

December 03, 2003

The Atholton Raider Marching Band concluded its 2003 competition season Nov. 1 by capturing the U.S. Scholastic Band Association's state championship for Group II, Open, a category for high-scoring smaller bands. The band also finished first in its division in the Mid-Atlantic region.

The award was the culmination of a winning season for the Atholton High School band, which took first place in its category at the 25th Annual Showcase of Bands on Oct. 4 at Francis Scott Key High School in Union Bridge; second place in its category at the Tournament of Bands (TOB) state championship competition Oct. 11 at South Hagerstown High School; and first in its category at the TOB Mid-Atlantic regional tournament Oct. 18 at Westminster High School -- not counting specialty awards for music, marching, percussion and color guard along the way.

Drum majors Steven Eddy and Ameneh Bordi led the band. Soloists included instrumentalists Bradley Eisenberg, Wayne Yu, Becca Bartlett and Casey Gallas and color guard members Michelle Waligora and Laura Swann. The band was directed by music teacher Lee Stevens.

"When you go up against bands that are 250 and you have 50 ... and you have a [color guard] of nine going up against a group of 32 and beat them by 3 points, it's quite an amazing feat," Stevens said. "We have been competing and winning like this for the past 13 or 14 years."

The Atholton Raider Marching Band will perform in Part II of the school's Winter Concert, along with six choral groups, another band and a symphony orchestra, at 7:30 p.m. Friday. Admission is $3; $5 a family.

Information: 410-313-7065.

-- Fay Lande

Atholton Boosters selling trees, starting Saturday

The Atholton High School Boosters will sponsor an eighth Holiday Tree Sale to benefit the school's athletic programs, starting at 9 a.m. Saturday on the school parking lot.

The sale will be held from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturdays and 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sundays through Dec. 21.

Information: Charlie Ryan, 410-531-1104.

Winter concerts scheduled at Wilde Lake High School

The Wilde Lake High School Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Concert Band will present a Winter Band Concert at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 10 in Jim Rouse Theatre. Tickets are $3.